Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COLLAPBIBLE SHELTER
BACKGROUND OF' THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to shelters
and, more particularly, to shelters including collapsible
frames.
2. Description of the Related Art
Over the years, a seemingly endless variety of tents
and other shelters having collapsible frames have been
introduced into the market. Such structures are commonly
to used to provide shelter during camping trips, picnics,
parties, military operations and other outdoor activities.
Because their frames are collapsible, relatively large
shelters may be folded into a compact configuration for
storage and transport.
The inventors herein have discovered that there are
a number of shortcomings associated with the collapsible
shelters that have been introduced heretofore. More
specifically, the inventors herein have discovered that
the frames associated with prior collapsible shelters tend
to be difficult to fold and unfold, unstable, and somewhat
large when folded. Some prior shelter frames also allow
the canopy to sag and form unsightly pockets where water
can accumulate, reduce tent headroom and/or ultimately
produce an unsightly shelter.
For example, a prior open-type collapsible tent is
shown in FIGURES 16 and 17. The tent consists of a frame
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which supports a canopy D. The frame includes four poles
A, each of which is secured to a center strut C by a
scissors-type linkage B. The scissors-type linkages B are
secured to the poles A by ffixed hinges A1 at the top of
each pole and sliding hinges A2 which slide along the
poles as the frame is moved between the folded and
unfolded orientations. The other ends of the linkages B
are secured to the center strut C by a fixed cross-shaped
connector F and a sliding connector E which slides along
the center strut as the frame is moved between the folded
and unfolded orientations.
The shelter frame shown in FIGURES 16 and 17 is
somewhat unstable because the legs A are not directly
connected to one another and, instead, are only connected
to one another by the structure formed by the scissors-
type linkages B, the center strut C and the connectors E
and F. In addition to being unstable, the scissors-type
linkage/center strut/connector structure also reduces the
headroom within the tent. This frame is also somewhat
difficult to unfold in that an extra person is sometimes
needed to push the center strut C upwardly to its
completely extended position. With respect to the canopy
D, the center strut C is the only portion of the frame
that holds the canopy above the poles and, as a result,
the canopy will often sag.
Another example of a conventional shelter frame is
shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,607,656 ("the '656 patent").
The frame disclosed in the '656 patent is a marginal
improvement over the frame illustrated in FIGURES 16 and
17 in that stability is increased because adjacent support
poles are connected to one another by respective pairs of
scissors-type linkages. Nevertheless, the shelter frame
disclosed in the '656 patent suffers from many of the same
shortcomings as the frame shown in FIGURES 16 and 17. For
example, the canopy is supported by a single central
support and, therefore, tends to sag. The central support
post is itself supported by a pair of scissors-type
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linkages which extend across the interior of the shelter.
This configuration reduces headroom within the shelter.
Moreover, the lowest portion of each of the scissors-type
linkage pairs is half way between the poles, thereby
reducing headroom in the area that often serves as the
entrance to a tent.
OBJECT AND 80MMARY OF THE INVENTION
A general object of the present invention is to
1o provide a collapsible shelter that is superior to those
presently known in the art. In particular, one object of
the present invention is to provide a shelter frame that
is relatively easy to fold and unfold, stable, and still
compact when folded. Another object of the present
invention is provide a shelter frame that is less likely
to allow the canopy to sag, will not reduce tent headroom
and will ultimately produce an attractive shelter.
In accordance with one aspect of the present
invention, these and other objectives are accomplished by
providing a shelter frame having at least two poles
connected by a linking assembly having first and second
scissors-type linkages and a linking device. The
scissors-type linkages include first structural members
pivotally coupled to respective second structural members
and to one another. The linking device is adapted to
pivotally secure a predetermined portion of the second
structural member in the first scissors-type linkage to
the second scissors-type linkage at a point on the second
scissors-type linkage vertically spaced from the
predetermined portion of the second structural member in
the first scissors-type linkage and to also pivotally
secure a predetermined portion of the second structural
member in the second scissors-type linkage to the first
scissors-type linkage at a point on the first scissors-
type linkage vertically spaced from the predetermined
portion of the second structural member in the second
scissors-type linkage.
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The vertical spacing associated with the linking
device provides increased headroom between the poles as
compared to prior linking assemblies which consist solely
of two scissors-type linkages. Moreover, the increased
headroom is provided without sacrificing ease of folding
and unfolding, stability, and compactness when folded.
In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, other objectives are accomplished by providing
a shelter frame with a canopy support including a head
connector and at least first and second canopy support
rods. Each canopy support rod includes a first rod member
pivotally secured to a second rod mel~iber. The first rod
members are also pivotally secured to a respective pole
and the second rod members are also pivotally secured to
the head connector. As a result, the canopy support
provides a greater support area than many prior canopy
supports, which results in an aesthetically pleasing
shelter canopy that is less likely to sag. The shelter
frame may also include linking rods that are pivotally
Z0 secured to sliding connectors on the poles and to the
canopy support rods. The linking rods help drive the
canopy support to its unfolded orientation as the frame
poles are pulled apart. As a result, the canopy support
need not be manually pushed to its unfolded orientation.
In accordance with still another aspect of the
present invention, a sliding connector locking assembly is
provided substantially within the interior a pole. The
locking assembly includes a spring having first and second
spring members extending from a base member, a button
associated with the first spring member and adapted to
extend through apertures in the pole and sliding
connector, and a positioning member adapted to maintain
the spring at a predetermined location within the interior
of the pole. This assembly makes the frame easier to
fabricate and more reliable than those having the locking
assemblies known heretofore.
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4a
According to another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a shelter frame, comprising:
at least first and second upwardly extending poles; and a
linkage assembly linking the first and second poles, the
linkage assembly including first and second scissors-type
linkages each having respective first structural members
pivotally coupled to respective second structural members,
the first structural member in the first scissors-type
linkage being pivotally coupled to the first structural
member in the second scissors-type linkage, and a linking
device adapted to pivotally secure a predetermined portion
of the second structural member in the first scissors-type
linkage to the second scissors-type linkage at a point on
the second scissors-type linkage vertically spaced from the
predetermined portion of the second structural member in the
first scissors-type linkage and to pivotally secure a
predetermined portion of the second structural member in the
second scissors-type linkage to the first scissors-type
linkage at a point on the first scissors-type linkage
vertically spaced from the predetermined portion of the
second structural member in the second scissors-type
linkage.
According to still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a shelter frame, comprising:
at least first and second upwardly extending poles; at least
a first linkage assemblies linking the poles, the linkage
assembly including first and second scissors-type linkages
each having respective first structural members pivotally
coupled to respective second structural members, the first
structural member in the first scissors-type linkage being
pivotally coupled to the first structural member in the
second scissors-type linkage, and a linking device adapted
to pivotally secure a predetermined portion of the second
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structural member in the first scissors-type linkage to the
second scissors-type linkage at a point on the second
scissors-type linkage vertically spaced from the
predetermined portion of the second structural member in the
first scissors-type linkage and to pivotally secure a
predetermined portion of the second structural member in the
second scissors-type linkage to the first scissors-type
linkage at a point on the first scissors-type linkage
vertically spaced from the predetermined portion of the
second structural member in the second scissors-type
linkage; and a canopy support including a head connector,
and at least a first and second canopy support rods, each
support rod including a first rod member pivotally secured
to a second rod member, the first rod members also pivotally
secured to a respective pole and the second rod members also
pivotally secured to the head connector.
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Many other features and attendant advantages of the
present invention will become apparent as the invention
becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description considered in conjunction with the
5 accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T8E DRAWINGS
Detailed description of
of the preferred embodiment
the invention will be made with reference the
to
accompanying drawings.
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a collapsi ble
shelter frame in accordance
with a preferred embodiment
of
the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment identified by circle A in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment identified by circle B in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment identified by circle C in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment identified by circle D in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 7 is an exploded view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 8 is an exploded view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 9 is an exploded view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 5.
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the preferred
:embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 in a pa rtially folded
orientation.
FIGURE 11 is an enlarged view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment identified by circle E in FIGURE 10.
FIGURE 12 is an enlarged view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment identified by circle F in FIGURE 10.
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FIGURE 13 is an enlarged view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment identified by circle G in FIGURE 10.
FIGURE 14 is an enlarged view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment identified by circle H in FIGURE 10.
FIGURE 15 is an enlarged view of the portion of the
preferred embodiment identified by circle I in FIGURE 10.
FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of a prior
collapsible shelter frame in a folded orientation.
FIGURE 17 is a perspective view of the prior
collapsible shelter frame shown in FIGURE 16 in an
unfolded orientation.
FIGURE 18 is a section view of a locking assembly in
accordance with the present invention.
FIGURE 19 is an exploded view of the locking assembly
shown in FIGURE 18.
FIGURE 20 is a perspective view in accordance with a
second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 21 is a perspective view of the preferred
embodiment shown in FIGURE 2o in a partially folded
ao orientation.
FIGURE 22 is a partial perspective view in accordance
with a third preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following is a detailed description of the best
presently known mode of carrying out the invention. This
description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is
made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention. The scope of the invention
is defined solely by the appended claims.
As shown by way of example in FIGURE 1, a shelter
frame in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of
the present invention includes a lower frame member and a
canopy support. The lower frame member includes four
upwardly extending poles 1 that are connected to one
another by four pairs of scissors-type (or x-type)
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linkages 2. Each of the scissors-type linkages 2 is
pivotally secured to another linkage and to one of the
poles 1. The linkages 2 are secured to the poles 1 by
fixed connectors 5, which are secured to the top of each
pole, and sliding connectors 6 which slides along the
poles. The exemplary canopy support includes four canopy
supporting rods 3, each of which is pivotally secured to
a head 7. The canopy supporting rods 3 are also pivotally
secured to respective linking rods 4 and fixed connectors
5. The linking rods 4 are pivotally secured to respective
sliding connectors 6.
Referring to FIGURES 2, 6, 11 and 12, each exemplary
fixed linkage 5 includes three connecting seats 51, 52 and
53. The connecting seats 51 and 52 are secured to the end
of a link in a scissors-type linkage 2 by a nut 9 and a
bolt 8. The connecting seat 53, which is between
connecting seats 51 and 52, is secured to a connector 33
at one end of a canopy supporting rod 3 by a nut 9 and a
bolt 8. Similarly, the sliding linkages 6 are provided
with three connecting seats 61, 62 and 63. The connecting
seats 61 and 62 are also secured to the end of a link in
a scissors-type linkage 2 by a nut 9 and a bolt 8. The
connecting seat 63, which is between connecting seats 61
and 62, is secured to a connector 43 at the end of a
linking rod 4 by a nut 9 and a bolt 8. So configured, the
scissors-type linkages 2, canopy supporting rods 3,
linking rods 4, and sliding connectors 6 are capable of
being moved from the fully open (or unfolded) orientation
shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 6 to the partially folded
orientation shown in FIGURES 10, 11 and 12.
As shown by way of example in FIGURES 18 and 19, the
poles 1 may include a locking assembly 10 which locks the
sliding connector 6 in place when it reaches the location
shown in FIGURE 1. Each locking assembly 10 consists of
a button 12 that is forced through an aperture 14 in the
pole 1 by a spring 16 to which the button is attached.
The spring 16, which includes spring members 16a and 16b
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extending from a base member 16c, is maintained in the
proper location within the pole 1 by a positioning member
18. A channel 20 is formed in the positioning member 18
and a post 22 extends across the channel such that a
portion of the spring base member 16c can be held between
the post and the top of the channel. The positioning
member 18 is secured to the pole 1 by a screw 24 (or other
mechanical fastener) which extends through an aperture 26
in the pole into an aperture 28 in the positioning member.
In operation, the button 12 is depressed as the
sliding connector 6 moves from the unlocked position shown
in FIGURE 10 to the locked position shown in FIGURE 1.
Such depression may be accomplished manually, or by means
of a cam surface on the bottom side of the button 12.
Once the button is depressed, the sliding connector 6 will
pass over the button until a corresponding aperture on the
sliding connector (not shown) is aligned with the button.
The button 12 will then be forced by the spring 16 through
the sliding connector aperture, thereby locking the
sliding connector in place. The button 12 may be
depressed to release the sliding member 6 when the user
desires to fold the frame.
Turning to the exemplary canopy support shown in
FIGURES 3, 7 and 13, each canopy support rod 3 consists of
two rod members pivotally connected to one another by an
intermediate pivot connector 31. The intermediate pivot
connector 31 includes a pair of pivot members 311, which
are secured to the ends 32 of the rod members by nuts 9
and bolts 8. The pivot members are composed of two
parallel walls which mate with the three parallel walls of
the rod ends 32. The intermediate pivot connector also
includes a pair of stop boards 312 which prevent the rod
members from pivoting past the unfolded orientation shown
in FIGURES 1 and 3.
As noted above, one end of each canopy support rod 3
is secured to a fixed linkage 5 and the other end is
secured to the head 7. Referring more specifically to
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FIGURES 5, 9 and 15, the preferred head 7 includes four
head connectors 71, each of which consists of a pair of
parallel walls that mate with the three parallel walls on
the rod member ends 34. The connectors 71 are secured to
the rod member ends 34 by a nut 9 and a bolt 8.
As illustrated for example in FIGURES 4, 8 and 14,
one end of each linking rod 4 is pivotally and slidably
connected to the corresponding canopy support rod 3 by an
end connector 41 and a sliding connector 42. The end
l0 connector 41 includes three parallel walls which mate with
a pair of parallel walls on the sliding connector 42. A
nut 9 and a bolt 8 may be used to secure the assembly.
The other end of each linking rod 4 includes a connector
43 that is secured to a respective sliding connector 6 in
the manner described above.
One or all of the scissors-type linkage pairs shown
in FIGURES 1 and 10 may be replaced by a linkage assembly
100 which is illustrated, for example, in FIGURES 20 and
21. The linkage assembly 10o includes a pair of
2o structural members 102 and 104 which are pivotally secured
to one another and to respective sliding connectors 6 in
the manner described above. A pair of structural members
106 and 108 are secured to respective fixed connectors 5.
The structural members 102-108 form two scissors-type
linkages and operate in the scissor-like manner described
above. In order to eliminate the relatively low
connection point associated with the structure shown in
FIGURES 1 and 10 (shown in dashed lines in FIGURE 20),
linkage assembly 100 also includes a linking device in the
form of a pair of linking members 110 and 112. Linking
member 110 extends from the free end of structural member
106 to structural member 104 and linking member 112
extends from the free end of structural member 108 to
structural member 102. This configuration results in a
shelter frame having more headroom at point 114 midway
between the poles, which is often the location of the
entrance to the shelter.
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As shown by way.of example in FIGURE 22, the linkage
assembly 100 shown in FIGURES 20 and 21 may be inverted.
Such orientation results in a shelter frame that has
greater structural rigidity and stability than the
5 conventional frame shown in FIGURES 16 and 17. Another
method of increasing structural rigidity and stability is
to configure the frame such that the poles 1 slope
inwardly (i.e. toward the head 7) as shown in FIGURES 1,
and 22.
10 The present shelter frame may be readily assembled,
erected (i.e. unfolded) for use and folded for storage and
transport. Referring to FIGURE 10, which shows the frame
in a partially folded state, the present frame may be
erected by manually pulling the four poles 1 outwardly
15 such that the scissors-type linkages 2 urge the sliding
connectors 6 upwardly. As a result, the linking rods 4
will drive the associated canopy support rods 3 upwardly
as the connector 42 slides therealong. This will continue
until the pivot members 31 and head 7 reach the stable
20 orientation shown in FIGURE 1. The sliding connectors 6
will be locked in place by the locking assemblies 10. In
other words, the canopy support will be automatically
driven upwardly into its use orientation when the poles 1
are pulled outwardly. Similarly, the frame may be folded
by pressing the locking assembly buttons 12 and then
pushing the poles 1 inwardly, thereby causing the
scissors-type linkages 2 to urge the sliding connectors 6
downwardly. The linking rods 4 will then cause the canopy
support rods 3 to pivot about their intermediate pivot
members 31 until the rod members in each support rod meet
one another.
Although the present invention has been described in
terms of the preferred embodiment above, numerous
modifications and/or additions to the above-described
preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one
skilled in the art. By way of example, but not
limitation, the nuts 9 and bolts 8 may be replaced by any
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other suitable mechanical fastener. The overall
rectangular shape of the frame may also be changed to a
triangle or octagon. It is intended that the scope of the
present invention extends to all such modifications and/or
additions and that the scope of the present invention is
limited solely by the claims set forth below.
